The Greek Festival as means of integration

Man refers to the relations of the Greek community with the political leadership of Calgary and the organization of the Greek festival.

Τ.Κ.: Yes, indeed in previous years the Greek community was very connected to politicians. If you want the mayor of the province, if you want the parliamentary member of the government in the area and others. We always, whatever events we might have had, we would invite them, people from outside in order for them to see how our culture is, who we are, and as people what we’re offering to the wider society, because we’re not a community that whatever money we would make, we would keep for ourselves. We gave money outside too, to help other establishments within society.
RES.: Ah, ok. Ten-fifteen years ago that I was in the council, in the other council, which established the Greek Festival. It would last for three days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and it was done here at the community, at a place we have…
RES.: What did the Greek Festival have?
Τ.Κ.: The Greek Festival basically did what Greece offers. It had Greek foods, it had drinks, it had activities for children. This festival had been designed to be, how should I describe it to you, to be also… to be also associated with the society they were living. I’m talking about the Canadian society. Primarily this festival, the participants over there ninety people of the state… Canadians, French, Italians, various others, who used to come to this festival. Back then it was good.